70 WEAC members earn National Board Certification

January 11, 2018

At least 70 WEAC members have earned national certification in 2017, and at least 22 more renewed their certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Wisconsin was among seven nationwide that increased its total National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) by more than 10 percent, according to the Department of Public Instruction. Currently, Wisconsin has 1,082 teachers who have earned the voluntary, performance-based credential. Research from across the country confirms that students taught by nationally certified teachers gain one to two months of instruction over students taught by those who do not have national certification.

“WEAC congratulates these outstanding educators who have committed themselves to making sure they are the absolute best they can be,” said WEAC President Ron Martin. “WEAC is extremely proud to play a role in helping educators achieve this tremendous honor.”

All renewal and newly certified NBCTs will receive an invitation to the WEAC pinning ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 4, at the Concourse Hotel in Madison.

Nationwide, there were 5,470 teachers who earned new certification, including a total of 126 from Wisconsin. Another 3,957 renewed their credential to bring the total number of certified teachers across the country to more than 118,000. National board certification is open to all educators who have a baccalaureate degree and three years of classroom experience in a public, private, or tribal school. The process for national certification is performance-based and peer-reviewed, requiring teachers to demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and practice in their subject area by completing three portfolio entries and a computer-based assessment.

In Wisconsin, newly certified teachers can request up to $2,000 to reimburse costs associated with earning national certification. These teachers can also qualify for a grant of $2,500 per year for the remainder of the five-year national certificate. The grant is doubled for teachers who work in a high-poverty school. Educators who successfully renew their certification may continue to receive annual grants from the state.

This year’s new board-certified teachers are the first to certify under the redesigned assessment, developed to be more flexible and accessible for teachers. Established in 1987, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, nonprofit organization working to advance accomplished teaching for all students. The National Board Standards and the board’s certification process are created by teachers, for teachers.

Below is a list of newly certified teachers and renewals who are WEAC members. If you have earned certification or renewed your certification this year and are a WEAC member and your name is not listed below, please let us know by emailing us at editor@weac.org and we will be sure to add your name to the list.

Newly Certified Teachers

Adams-Friendship Area School District

Tara Brom, Friendship Generalist/Early Childhood

Deborah Diemert, Adams Generalist/Early Childhood

Rebecca Grabarski, Grand Marsh Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood

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WEAC News

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